Definitions Page

An allergen is an ordinarily harmless substance that can cause a reaction to someone who is sensitive to allergies.

Allergenic or Allergenicity refers to the substance's potential to be an allergen.

An allergy is an abnormal reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance called an allergen. Common allergens include pollens, molds, dust mites, animal dander, foods, medications, cockroach droppings, and insect stings/bites. You may be allergic to one or more allergens. When an allergen is absorbed into the body of an allergic person, their body fights to rid itself of the allergen. The immune system initiates a defense which causes symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, congestion, itching, and sneezing.

Antigen refers to a substance that is capable of stimulating an immune response.

Buoyant means to be capable of floating.

Copious means to be plentiful or abundant.

Deciduous refers to the falling off or shedding of a plant seasonally. Deciduous trees lose their leaves or needles seasonally, whereas evergreens will not.

Evergreen means to have foilage that stays green and functional through more than one growing season. Deciduous trees lose their leaves or needles seasonally, whereas evergreens will not.

Genera is the plural of genus. Genus (pronounced “jean us”) is one of several levels of classification for a plant. They are ranked in levels from largest to smallest groupings first by kingdom, then by phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

Hybrid refers to the offspring of parents from two different races or species.

Indigenous means to have originated or to occur naturally in a particular region.

Morphology refers to the form and structure of an organism and its parts.

Parasites are organisms that is dependent on another organism to live or gain nutrients. It usually lives in, on, or with another organism.

Pathogens are specific agents that cause disease.

Pollen is the male “seed” of a plant that appears as a dust. It can be transferred by insects or by wind for plant reproduction.

Pollinate refers to the action of releasing pollen by a plant.

Species is one of the most specific of several levels of classification for a plant. They are ranked in levels from largest to smallest groupings first by kingdom, then by phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

Spores are the “seeds” that allow molds to reproduce.

Sterile means incapable of bearing fruit or producing offspring.